All My Love

This is one of those very rare cards (at least for me!) that comes together just as I envisioned it.  Although it isn't a true birthday card, this is what I am giving my mom for her 84th birthday this June.  Grab a cup and have a seat - this post is a bit photo heavy.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Lilac Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Memory Box Fairytale Border, #98473
Die-Versions Whispers Fence Background #DVW-314
Sentiment from SemSee's Designs for Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine (Jan 2017)
Hero Arts Bubble Gum Ink
Craft Mat
Zig Clean Color Markers in Light Green, May Green, Carmine Red, Light Carmine, Cobalt Blue, Light Violet & Yellow
Detail Tip Watercolor Brush
White Cardstock

I knew I wanted to watercolor the flowers on the Fairytale Border so I used watercolor paper for the die cut.  I have found that for vibrant watercolor nothing beats Zig Clean Color Markers, and if you like to watercolor, I strongly suggest you grab a set.  Since there is more green than any other color, that is what I used first.  I just sort of scribbled the light green and may green markers around where I wanted the green to go.   

Then, as I blended the greens together, I added more where I felt there may be a bit of color lacking.  The process is very forgiving, as long as you dry your cardstock in between adding colors.   

Then it was time to play with the flowers.  Most of them are colored with just one color, but I wanted the largest blooms to stand out a bit more so I used two reds to color them; carmine red and light carmine.  The picture on the left shows how I colored the flowers with the light carmine, pulling the color from the tip of the flower to the inside.  The picture on the right shows where I colored the inside of the blooms with the darker carmine red.  All I did was just keep blending with the detail water brush, 

drying the flowers and stems in between the blending, and adding more color as needed to achieve the look I wanted.  Once I finished with the border, I die cut the fence background and wove the flowers throughout.

I chose the sentiment from a set of free stamps I had gotten and stamped it onto white card using bubble gum pink ink.  Lastly, I attached the fence and flowers to the card base, then I attached the sentiment, gently placing it under the flowers and lining it up with the fence. 

Another Look

All of the dies I used here are brand new and I can see many more uses for both of them.  In fact, I am putting more "background" dies on my wish list!

Thank you so much for reading my post and I do hope you will come back to the Dies R Us Inspirational Blog to see what my talented teammates have created. There is a NEW project every day! Also, don't forget to sign up for the Dies R Us email updates; you never know what goodies are in stock or going to be on sale.

Have a GREAT week! Christi

Don't forget to play along at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog for your chance to win a gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store.  A new challenge begins on the first and fifteenth of every month.  
Be sure to Follow Us on Facebook too. 

click below for:

STORE
CHALLENGE BLOG
FACEBOOK
INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I am entering my All My Love card in the following challenges:

Marker Pop - #118, Watercolor (product they carry Zig Markers)

Kitty Bee Designs - #93, In the Garden

CEEE Stampers - #1717, National Garden Month

Aud Sentiment - #178, Use a Stamp for Your Sentiment 

ModSquad - Love Theme

Scrapy Land - #64, Spring Blooms

You're a Hoot!

Hi everyone! This is my very first post as a part of the Dies R Us Design Team and I want to thank you for stopping by!  I hope you will join me and my teamies daily here at the Inspiration Blog; be sure to join in with your own creation on the Challenge Blog!

Since meeting my new next door neighbor, I've adopted her obsession with owls.  I just think they are so cool and SO cute! Since I just got some new dies, I thought I'd make this to have on hand just in case I needed an all occasion card in a pinch (and, honestly, I was dying to use my new Lawn Fawn set!)

What I Used to Make my Card: (A2 size unless stated)
White Card Base
Black Card Panel
Circle Punch
Impression Obsession, Owl, #DIE283-O
Lawn Fawn "You're a Hoot" Stamp Set, #LF605
Die-Versions Whisper Stitched Nesting Squares, #DV-572
White, Yellow, Black and Orange Cardstock
Googly Eyes
Black Ink
Branch (I used my Silhouette CAMEO)

The first thing I did was die cut my owl out of white cardstock.  He's a studious, snowy barn owl so he had to be white; and he needs his glasses to watch for mice! I cut the body and wings out of white card, his nose and feet out of orange card, his glasses out of black card.  I then punched a yellow moon out using a very old circle punch.  I don't have a branch die (yet), so I used my Silhouette machine to cut out a simple branch using brown cardstock.  I adhered my owl, moon and branch to the black card base panel, then stamped my sentiment onto a piece of white card and then die cut out using the stitched square die.

I smile every time I look at this owl and I am hoping this cute little card will give you a smile, too!  Thank you SO much for stopping by, and if you have some time I encourage you to click on the links below and check out all the fabulous creations that can be made with products at Dies R Us.  Fondly, Christi

All of these fantastic products (and MORE!) are available at the Dies R Us store!

  Impression Obsession Owl Die #DIE283

 Die-Versions Whispers Stitched Nesting Squares #DV-572

Lawn Fawn "You're a Hoot" Stamp Set
(and, here is the link to the "You're a Hoot" matching die set)

Don't forget to play along at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog for your chance to win a gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store.  A new challenge begins on the first and fifteenth of every month.  Be sure to Follow Us on Facebook too. 

click below for:

STORE
CHALLENGE BLOG
FACEBOOK
INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I am entering my Wise Owl in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - "I Spy With my Little Eye Something that Begins with B" - bird

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, #1, Anything Goes w/ a Critter

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Brown Sugar - #247, Use a Die Cut

QKR Stampede - #240, Feathered Friends

Moving Along with the Times - #43, Birds & Feathers

How Does Your Garden Grow?

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I am lucky enough to be getting the Hero Arts My Monthly Hero kit.  The kits are so fun and there are awesome add-on products that you can buy.  I made this card using the March kit.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Hero Arts MMH Kit - March, 2017
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Labels Die Set, #660060
Hero Arts Intense Black Ink
Distress Ink in Ground Expresso
Inktense Color Pencils
Watercolor Paper
Light Brown Cardstock
Light Blue Cardstock
Toothpick
E6000 (or other industrial glue)

First I used Intense Black to stamp a bunch of veggies on watercolor paper.  I used my Inktense Pencils to color them, drying them in between coats of color (for me, it is easier to color small die cuts when they are not cut out - keeping them all together while coloring, then die cut them.)  Once you're done coloring the veggies, die cut them and set them aside.

I then cut the field out of light brown card, using the same color card to make my sign.  I used the Labels to cut out a square that fit the sentiment using the same light brown cardstock that I used for the field.  I stamped the sentiment in Ground Espresso, then edged the sign using the same.  I smudged the ink along the sides to make the sign look a bit more weathered.  I glued the toothpick to the back of the sign using E6000 and set it aside to dry overnight. 

Another Look

I placed the veggies in the field then attached them.  I glued the sign to the back panel I made of light blue card, positioned the field, plus veggies, and adhered that as well.

I hope my card didn't make you hungry; personally, I've been craving carrots, but that isn't your problem 😉.  Enjoy your day! Christi





I am entering my How Does Your Garden Grow in the following challenges:
a to z Scrapbooking - M Getting to know You
A Blog Named Hero - M April Challenge - Anything Goes
Kitty Bee Designs - #93, In the Garden
CASology - Grow
Aud Sentiments - #178, Use a Stamp for Your Sentiment
Fab 'n Funky Challenges - #347, In the Garden
Stampavie and More - #285, Spring
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Stamp It!

Easter Goes to the . . .

Hello everyone - I hope you are having a great holiday! Before I get into my card, I HAVE to share my latest haul from Alleystamp:

Yup - I got some of the very cool Oxide Ink Pads, and they are only $4.95 (that is the cheapest I've seen anywhere!) But, you'd better hurry - they sell out FAST! And I have to confess, after I got this batch, I went back & ordered the rest of the colors.

OK, back to the show!!

I made this card for my neighbor, Helen.  She has become a great friend to me (and if you recall my Christmas card, she has Lola!) and I just HAVE to put dogs on her cards.  So here is her Easter card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Tim Holtz Mini Cats & Dogs Stamp Set, #CMS272
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Cats & Dogs Die Set, #661594
Tim Holtz Crazy Talk Stamp Set, #CMS236 (inside card)
Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit, March 2017
Spellbinders Labels Fourteen (disc., but available)
Distress Ink in Ground Expresso & Squeezed Lemonade
Clean Color Markers (Zig)
Inktense Pencils
Oval Punch (about 3/4")
Glitter Card
Googly Eyes
Computer Generated Sentiment

I had colored the dogs a while back. I get in a coloring mood and when the muse hits, I follow.  I have found that I color much better when I really want to do it but, when I do that, I typically forget what I used to do the coloring!  This time, I know I used a combination of most of my coloring utensils - I often mix them up. Anyway, I had these three dogs colored and die cut already.  I added the googly eyes to the "bunny" dog, and attached his ears.  I set them aside and got to work on the Easter basket.

I used the stamp & die that came with the Hero Arts March Kit.  I then took my craft knife and carefully slit the openings on each side of the handle.  I had a bunch of eggs I had cut for another card that I didn't use, but they were too small for this card, so I went into my punches and found this oval scalloped one.  I used it to punch out a bunch of glitter eggs and placed them into the basket, leaving one out to use at the base of the basket.

Another Look

I picked a font and printed out the sentiment that reads, "Steve was surprised when he was chosen, once again, to give out the Easter eggs. Everyone else, not so much."  I die cut the sentiment using the Spellbinders die, edged it with Squeezed Lemon ink and pop dotted it onto the card.  After I put the dogs on the card, and then the basket with the eggs, the card still looked like it needed something.  I chose the gold glitter card, made a fishtail banner, and added it onto the card.  I finished with placing the last Easter egg by the bottom of the basket.  I used Happy Easter from the Crazy Talk stamp set for the interior of the card.

I hope Helen likes the card and I hope you have a wonderful, creative, fun filled holiday! Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Easter card in the following challenges:
Crafting with Dragonflies - #78, Easter Cards
The Crafter's Cafe - #171, Easter and/or Spring
Animal Friends Challenge - #49, Easter/Spring
Paradise of Stamps - #55, Easter
Happy Little Stamps Dies Challenge - M Anything Goes with Dies
Sweet Stampers - #6, Animals
CCEE Stampers - #1715, National Humor Month
Little Red Wagon - #389, Happy Easter
Die Cuttin' Divas - #312, Easter or Spring
Shopping Our Stash - #298, Use Punches and or Dies (I used both!)
The Cat's Pajamas - #335, Use a Sassy Sentiment

Kitty Love

Hi all! I fall in love with a new (to me) stamp company about once a week and one of my newest obsessions is the Unity Stamp Company.  I adore their sentiments, beautiful flowers and, of course, their kitty stamp sets!  Plus, they really know how to throw a great sale. They have a few adorable cat sets, one of which I used to make this card.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Unity Stamp Set . . .Really Kitty, UK-1009A
Embossing Ink
Detail Black Embossing Powder
Watercolor Paper
Distress Markers in Mermaid Lagoon, Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Festive Berries
DCWV Luxury Stack, 4.5" x 6.5" (available online)
Hero Arts Stamp & Cut, Love, DC175
Die-Namics (MFT) Stitched Oval Stax
Pop Dots

First thing I did was I stamped the kitty with embossing ink onto the watercolor paper and embossed the image with detail black embossing powder.  I water colored the kitty, and the hearts, using Distress Markers and then the image sat on my desk for weeks.  I really love how it came out and I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it yet.  Another thing that had been hanging out on my desk was the decorative paper from DCWV Luxury Stack.  I had picked the pink paper to go with another project and it languished on my desk, getting moved to one spot or another.  Finally, I HAD to do something with the kitty (I was getting nervous that I'd ruin it somehow; drop some ink on it, get some marker on it or drown it in coffee, so I cut out the cat using the Stitched Oval Dies and used a die two sizes larger to cut the patterned paper.  Using the small scrap left over from the oval cut, I die cut the word "love".  I attached the cat panel onto the decorative paper panel and positioned the "love" cut out so that, hopefully, it appeared that it was attached to the patterned paper.  Finally, the panel was pop dotted onto the card base and my card was born.  

As simple as this design is, I am really pleased with how the card came together.  I have only used a few pages of the DCWV Luxury Stack and I am trying to use it more - the paper is very thick and looks like the coating is pearlized.   Perhaps my post will inspire you to use a long neglected paper in your next creation.  Have a great day! Christi

I would like to enter my Kitty Love card in the following challenges:
Dream Valley Challenges - #153, Our Four Legged Friends
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Spring Inspiration Board (I used the kitty)

SUYP Challenge - M #17, Furrything Goes or Easter
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M #1, Must Feature a Critter
Crafting When We Can - #141, Animals
Crafty Catz - #366, Anything Goes w/ Option of an Animal
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Stamp it!

Showers of Flowers for Stinkin' Inkers!

Thank you all for stopping by.  This is my first Design Team Post for the new challenge blog, Stinkin' Inkers! Welcome!!  The theme that our fabulous owner, Terri,  has chosen for April is "Showers of Flowers."  

What I Used to Make my Card:
Mint Green Card Base
White Scrap Panel
Pink Scrap 
Rubber Stamp Tapestry Set "Brambly Rose"
Corner Punch, Deco Photo or Notch, from All Night Media (discontinued)
Die-Namics MFT Stitched Oval Stax, MFT521
Hero Arts Ink in Soft Pink, Bubble Gum and Mint Julep
Stampin' Up Set "Sincere Salutations" (discontinued)
Art C Embellishments - pink flower pack, #24087
Simon Says Stamp Fine Detail White Embossing Powder
Embossing Ink
White Flower from Stash

I have a bin full of flowers (like Prima and such) that I love but never use. Some of them are too big to use on a card, some I like too much to use (I'm sure you can relate to that!) and honestly, I forget I have them.  Out of sight, out of mind.  But, for this challenge, I wanted to use a few of the various flowers I have.  Then I couldn't find them.  I looked everywhere for the baggie I have filled with fabric roses (you know the kind made of ribbon); I was certain I had ribbon roses that would match the colors on this card perfectly.  I looked where they should be, but weren't (believe it or not I am a fairly organized crafter.  I put everything away after I use it, back in it's proper place; all my bins and storage have labels on them and I can typically find what I am looking for quickly.) I looked where they shouldn't be, and they still weren't there.  Finally, I decided to give the searching a rest, 'cause you know sometimes if you just stop looking for whatever you need, it suddenly appears.  That wasn't exactly true here but I did find that I had put all of the flowers that were in shades of pink in a little shoebox-sized bin with intentions of using them for Valentine's Day. I'm happy I found them and I picked out some roses; they happen to be paper, not ribbon.  I cut the wire stems off and put them aside to add onto the card later.

Step 1

After wasting entirely too much time searching, I set about making the flower panel for the card.  I used the Hero Arts Ink colors that I had gotten in the My Monthly Hero Kit for January 2017 and stamped the roses and leaves, using the Rubber Tapestry Set (all of their sets have directions, plus recommendations for ink colors! I thought you might want to see the

Step 2

different steps used to create the panel.)  I stamped on a piece of cardstock that was 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" since I knew I'd need to cut the panel down to place on the card base.  Once the panel was fully stamped, I used the DieNamics die to cut the oval out of the middle, then cut the panel down and punched the corners.  

Step 3

Next I chose a piece of pink scrap for my sentiment.  I stamped "Thinking of you" in embossing ink and embossed it using fine detail white embossing powder.  I am so tickled that I found this white embossing powder; I used to struggle mightily when using white, it seemed no matter what I did I always got little specks everywhere; even using one of those pouches filled with whatever the magic ingredient is (I think it's cornstarch.)  I attached the sentiment panel onto the back of the stamped card so that it showed in the oval cut out.  Once I glued the panel onto the card

Flowers Close Up

base, I used 3 paper roses as accents on the side. This card would have taken me about 30 minutes if I hadn't spent hours looking for those flowers! At least I actually did use a few; many times I've searched for something and, once found, never actually used the item in my projects.  

Another Look

I'm feeling spring and, as some of the country is getting pounded with a serious snow storm, it's 70 degrees here and the good weather makes me feel creative.  I'm thinking something 3D is in the wings. Thanks for stopping by and reading about my crafty trials and tribulations! Hunting around my craft room is NOT fun, but, coming into the room and seeing 3 drawers of stamps on the ground and the trash basket tipped over is even LESS fun.  That's what my wonderful furbabies had left for me this morning!  I swear they think up ways to annoy me! LOL Anyway, I hope you'll drag out some of YOUR flowers and join me at Stinkin' Inkers! And be sure to check out the rules HERE. Have fun and get crafty! Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Showers of Flowers card in the following challenges:
Stamps, Ink, Paper Challenge - #93, Coming Up Flowers
Ike's World - #85, Anything Goes with optional twist In the Garden
Try it on Tuesday - Botanical
Unicorn Challenge - M, #20, Petal Power
Pin{spirational} - #187, see picture below
Addicted to Stamps - M, #145, Stamped Image & Stamped Sentiment
Card Mania - M, #91, April Showers Bring May Flowers
Naughty or Nice Challenges - M, #38, Three of Something with optional Easter Twist

A Flowery Hello for the Card Chain Challenge

Hi everyone! I am finally feeling rested after the Valentine's Day frenzy.  Every year I do the same thing; I tell myself I am not going to make any more Valentine cards and I end up making one, teeny, little card and the next thing I know it's five days later, I have glitter glue in my hair,  my hand is glued to my desk, and I can't see anything among the scraps, stamps and embellishments that are all over the place.  I envision it like a crafter's "hangover" and it takes a while to recover!

Anyway, I made this card, which is totally out of my comfort zone (at least I think so) just because, but then I signed up for the Card Chain Challenge and discovered it fit the challenge!  I was really inspired by the new (to me) Spellbinders die set and I had some colorful scrap paper so off I went!  Here are the themes from which we were able to choose for March at the CCC:

Color Palette:

These colors are your guideline - exact matching is not necessary.

OR
Sketch

You can orient this sketch in any direction and/or flip it.
OR
One of the following themes: – Flowers  or  Fish  or  Friendship
OR
One of the following products: Stampers Anonymous stamps, Sequins, Fussy Cutting

My card, which was sent to Lizzy all the way in Australia, follows the theme of flowers and friendship. I hope you like it!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Square Card Base in Mint Green (5 1/4" x 5 1/4")
Blue Sky Paper (from stash)
DCWV Tie Dye Stack (discontinued but available)*
Unity Stamps "Hello" from He's a Wordy Buck, UK-705A
Spellbinders Die D-Lites Flower Field
Distress Ink in Wilted Violet
Martha Stewart Mini Pastel Pearls
Gems from my Stash
Pop Dots

*First, once again Die Cut With a View (DCWV) has released another stack with 

Original Tie Dye Stack

the same name as the stack I used in this project. Just in case you absolutely need the Tie Dye stack I used, this is a picture of the cover. I love DCWV stacks but they can be pretty pricey so I often end up buying them when they have been discontinued.  

All of the papers except the card base come from this DCWV Tie Dye Stack.  I cut out the dies a bazillion times and a bunch of extra flowers. If you aren't familiar with DCWV stacks they often include specialty papers and this one includes both glitter and gloss (a coating similar to the many commercial glazes out there).  All I used on this card were parts of the paper that had glitter, gloss or both, so I got some really pretty flowers.  And for once the gloss isn't leftover glue on the card. 

Another Look

Once felt I had enough of the die cuts, I figured out the placement on the mint green card base and started gluing the cuts down.  I ended up pop dotting some of the flowers but you can't really see that in the photos. There is plenty of texture with all the glitter and gloss; I added even more by using gems and pearls for the middle of some of the flowers.  You should be able to make any of the photos on my blog bigger by just clicking on them; let me know if you have trouble with this. 

Please take a moment to see the Card Chain Challenge Reveal that is posted on the main blog today.  

You get to see who sent who what and where everyone lives.  I am thrilled to be back playing in this "challenge;" it is SO cool to get a card in the mail - it sure beats junk mail! This month I was the lucky recipient of LesLee's card, isn't it fabulous!?! She had to take a short break from crafting, but do pop over to her blog and take a look at the work she has done - it really is marvelous and after that stop over to the Card Chain Challenge and check out the reveal!  Some of us may even include a goody or 2!

Thank you for stopping by and reading this rather long post.  I encourage everyone who makes cards to participate in the Card Chain Challenge.  It's so much fun to see a card online and actually have it in your hands! Please consider signing up, and if you have any questions not answered in the FAQs, feel free to email me and I will see what I can do to help you out. The rewards out weigh the effort!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Flowery Hello card in the following challenges:
Pixie's Crafty Workshop - week 275/276 - Anything Goes
Southern Girls Challenge - #156, Dyeing to See You (use a die)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (entry #2)
Deep Ocean Challenge - #151, Flowers Everywhere
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday - Spring has Sprung

Follow Your Bliss at House of Cards

Hello everyone and thank you for joining me today as I share my take on the House of Cards April challenge:

You can use feathers, the color palette or both!  

I was inspired by my good friend Jane's recent card (see it on the right) and I decided to CASE it (too bad it's too late to enter this card in the challenge; it fits perfectly in my opinion!)

What I Used to Make my Card:
Vanilla Card Base
Turquoise, Dark Turquoise, Medium and Light Brown Scraps
Graphic 45 Artisan Style Collection, 8x8, #4501113
DCWV Linen Closet Stack (old version click here for info)
Memory Box Stamp "Follow Your Bliss" #B2060
Distress Ink in Faded Jeans
Darice Nested Craft Dies, Classic Circles, #2014-74
Household Twine, enough for bow

I have no feather stamps or dies, so I went and Googled 'feathers' and traced the ones I liked using my trusty Silhouette CAMEO.  I also used the Silhouette to cut the feathers out of the turquoise scraps I had.  Once I had cut a few feathers, I moved on the the circles.

Using the Follow Your Bliss stamp, I stamped the sentiment on light brown card and then used the circle dies to cut the first circle.  The second circle is cut from medium brown card, the third from the DCWV stack and finally the fourth is cut

Colors are closer to real life in the above card,
but here is another look

from the coordinating paper I found in the Artisan Style Collection.  I attached all the circles together, then placed the feathers on the side. The finishing touch for this card is the bow I made using plain old household twine.  I hope the card I made inspires you to come and play along at House of Cards!  I honestly wasn't crazy about the color scheme this month but it grew on me.  Look through your stash and see if you can find any patterned papers that match the scheme; you'll be surprised how often blues & browns are used -- at least I was.  Off to catch up on my other design team commitments {and figure out a special announcement! Don't you just hate love surprises? }~ Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Follow Your Bliss card in the following challenges:
Crafty Friends Challenge - M, #54 - B is for. . Bliss!!
Making Memories Crafting Challenge - M, #3 - Add Some Layers
Die Cuttin' Diva's - #310, Anything Goes
AAA Cards (CAS Challenge) - M, #86 - Use Die Cuts
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Anything Goes
Classic Design Team Challenge - M - Anything Goes 
Aud Sentiments - #176,  Anything NOT Birthday
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

I found these challenges, and MANY more, at Challenges for Days!